Life — June 8, 1916 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

1068 Life’s Fresh Air Farm BOUT June 20th Lire’s Fresh Air Farm, at Branchville, in the hills of Western Connecticut, will open for the season of 1916 It was a fine country place, of some fourteen acres’ extent, the property of the late Edwin Gilbert, who, sgme years prior to his death, deeded it to us outright for Fresh Air Fund purposes. The big house, barns and other outbuild- ings have been remodelled as dormi- tories, dining rooms, ete, for children. Each fortnight, during the summer, parties of about two hundred boys and girls are sent there for a two wee outing. The ample playgrounds are much appreciated. The ball grounds and orchard are popular, also a swim in the brook on a hot da; Lire first became interested in Fresh Air Fund work in 1887, when the idea of summer vacations for poor children was as yet very new. Our readers re- sponded so liberally that nearly $1,000 was collected, and about two hundred and fifty children had an outing that August. Since that time our friends and helpers have never failed us. We have expended $157,495, and have given 27.778 vacations. The children come from the poorer districts of New York and Brooklyn. The great East Side furnishes many of our guests, as do the city missions and settlements. No needy child is refused if he can possibly be taken. Lire seems popular host, for they all want to come again. The age limit is twelve years, but surprisingly many twelfth birthdays, we notice, are celebrated in the fall. A sufficient force of caretakers, un- der the supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Mohr, ensures the best of care for the children, and we have never lost a child or had a serious accident or illness at the farm. Every dollar goes as far as possible, but as Branchville is fifty-three miles from New York, railroad fare is a heavy item. Also, the higher cost of foodstuffs must be considered where two hundred entirely healthy appetites report promptly for each meal, some of them after scanty rations at home. The official report of the number of under- AT LIFE’S FRESH AIR FARM A WRESTLING MATCH school children in our great city is appalling. Our friends have been most generous in the past, and to continue this work we again ask their help. Last year it cost us $6.44 per child, transportation included—not a large sum to ensure a fortnight’s happiness for a youngster whose chances of a vacation would otherwise be small. Won't you help us again this year? Whether you send 50 cents or $500, it will bring a safe return in health and happiness for one or for many children in whose lives these joyous outings are too rare. As our guests’ wardrobes are pain- fully scanty, and not over strong best, a fortnight of strenuous life tells disastrously upon them, and the cloth- ing problem becomes a serious one for our matron. She will be glad of donations of partly worn clothing, rompers, ete. for children of twelve and under. Remittances may be made payable to Lire’s Fresh Air Fund. Acknowledg- ment is made in Lire about three weeks. later, and by letter direct if address be given. STATEMENT Included in the following statement will be found contributions received since last sea son's final acknowledgment Balance from season 1915... $937. ‘The Stevens Hodge Corporation... "25.00 De. J. D. Lovelace... .e...-0e.0cce ‘00 lencoe M “S. Pennfield E."....00000000001 so Rev. A. EF Clattenburg ‘so Percy B, Parker...... 15.00 Peter Norbeck : oo 57 riends in’ Ki TID soo John T. Pickett......... $.00 Ridgefield Baseball “Club. 30.00 ieorge FP. Corliss...... ' 10.00 Cand M.... 6.00 $1,128 63 Her Silence OUNG Aldrich was waiting in the parlor for his loved one to appear, when her small brother came in and took a seat. Well, Chester,” said Aldrich, “ what did your sister say when you told ker I was waiting?” “Why, she didn’t say nothing,” re- plied the small brother. “She just took a ring off one finger an’ put it on an- other.” F war does come to us, a lot cf people are going to find out that it takes a good while longer to rifle a gun barrel than it does to rifle a pork barrel. comicbooks.com